Rishi Sunak has asked for a humanitarian pause to evacuate civilians but not a ceasefire. The announcement coincides with this call.
“Prepared and ready” Border Force teams are set to evacuate British citizens who have become stranded in Gaza.
Government’s Support and Readiness for Evacuation
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated on Thursday that Egyptian border patrol personnel are positioned in advance so that “we are prepared to bring them in and bring them back” should the Rafah border crossing reopen.
Negotiations and the Position on Ceasefire
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan has stated that negotiations are still ongoing, but Border Force personnel are present “in preparation.”
She mentioned, “Participants in the region and we have engaged in lengthy discussions. But we want the Border Force ready to respond if the hostages are liberated at any time.”
Therefore, preparation is needed to ensure our presence and have all necessary goods available, if they can be removed.
“But right now, we still need to agree on that, and it still needs to be facilitated.”
“Waiting for a moment of silence”
When asked if she was optimistic that the Rafah Crossing could reopen, she responded, “Our stance remains unchanged: we’re calling for a pause to allow humanitarian aid in and for British national passport holders to be able to leave safely.”
Advocating for a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas, as Mr. Sunak suggested, would facilitate the delivery of aid to the Palestinian people and establish a “safer environment” for British nationals to evacuate the bombarded 25-mile strip.
During an artificial intelligence-related event in central London, he stated, “It is not something we can do immediately. But we will be prepared to jump at the chance when it presents itself.”
The only exit point is the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza owing to Israeli control.
Israel has recently consented to permit aid to enter Gaza through the crossing, after besieging the Hamas-controlled region to prevent over two million Palestinians from receiving necessities such as water, food, and fuel.
Those trapped in Gaza are likely to use the border crossing into northeast Egypt as their primary departure route. However, it is currently closed to all traffic except aid deliveries. Cairo reportedly attributes this closure to Israeli bombings in the region.
Supporting a ceasefire might “cross a line.”
Although the government has advocated for “humanitarian pauses” in the conflict, it has refrained from endorsing a formal ceasefire.
Ms Keegan stated this morning that “we do not wish to cross that line” and that Israel had “any right but the right to defend itself.”
This position has been supported by Labour, despite dozens of its MPs calling for a ceasefire.
Shadow Environment Secretary Steve Reed sympathises with Labour MPs who disagree with the party.
Nevertheless, he stated that if the attack Israel endured had occurred in the United Kingdom, “our state would have endeavored to safeguard our citizens by dismantling the capability of the terrorist organization responsible; the same holds true for Israel; they are permitted to do so under international law.”
Israel is responding to Hamas’s assault on October 7 with airstrikes and raids on Gaza. At least 1,400 Israelis, mostly civilians, were killed and hundreds were captured.
Less than five Britons are hostages, and officials fear some have been executed.
However, a significant number of individuals are ensnared in the territory, including the parents-in-law of Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf.
Providing welfare benefits “immediately”
The UK Government’s Assistance Measures
In addition to establishing border patrol personnel in Egypt, the government has declared that British nationals escaping the conflict will be granted expedited access to benefits and other services in the United Kingdom and will not be subject to residency requirements.
Individuals escaping the conflict in the broader regions of Lebanon and the West Bank will also have “immediate” access to universal credit, disability and child benefits, social housing, and housing assistance if necessary.
The administration would also exclude foreign terrorism compensation plan funding from income-related benefit calculations.
Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride stated, “During this time of unfathomable turmoil, we have been working swiftly to ensure that British nationals arriving from the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Lebanon, and Israel receive the necessary support and security.”
As the United Kingdom intensifies its efforts to address the rapidly evolving situation in the region, the implementation of today’s regulations will expedite the process of obtaining benefits, guaranteeing that eligible individuals can promptly access the necessary assistance.
The government stated that in situations where there is an absence of immediate housing for arrivals. Local authorities may provide emergency overnight accommodations before assisting individuals in securing more secure housing.
The government stated that those who qualify for the exemption will receive assistance more swiftly. But this will have no bearing on the prioritization of local housing authorities for social housing.
